Rubio and Sanders Trade Blows Over Israel

With Democrats controlling the House and Republicans controlling the Senate, it seems that there’s an ideological battle as Democratic socialism and conservatism clash in the political arena.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, largely recognized as bringing Democratic socialism to the forefront of the mainstream, is now responding to legislation introduced by Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

In a tweet, Senator Sanders blasted the sunshine state senator for being the lead sponsor of a bill that seeks to defend the Israeli government. The bill allows state and local governments to boycott any U.S. companies that are involved in a boycott against Israel. Although it’s a bipartisan bill, it does not have Senator Sanders’ support.

In the tweet, Senator Sanders comments that “It’s absurd that the first bill during the shutdown is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity. Democrats must block consideration of any bills that don’t reopen the government. Let’s get our priorities right.”

It’s absurd that the first bill during the shutdown is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity. Democrats must block consideration of any bills that don’t reopen the government. Let's get our priorities right. https://t.co/rHvpBHtHI5

In response to the criticism, Senator Rubio took to twitter to explain why Senator Sanders has it wrong. Calling Senator Sanders a liar, Rubio explains that the bill “doesn’t punish any political activity. It protects the right of local & state govts that decide to no longer do business with those who boycott.” The Senator then asks, “So boycotting Israel is a constitutional right, but boycotting those participating in BDS isn’t?”

This is a lie.

My bill doesn’t punish any political activity. It protects the right of local & state govts that decide to no longer do business with those who boycott #Israel.

The back and forth comes at a time when there’s growing tension in the Government over receiving funding for President Trump’s wall. Democrats vehemently oppose the idea, and a back and forth has persisted between Democrats and President Trump over funding the project.

Since his response to Senator Sanders, Senator Rubio took aim at Democrats and called them out over their support of BDS, saying that “A significant # of Senators support BDS & Dem leaders want to avoid a floor vote that reveals that.”

The shutdown is not the reason Senate Democrats don’t want to move to Middle East Security Bill.

A huge argument broke out at Senate Dem meeting last week over BDS. A significant # of Senate Democrats now support #BDS & Dem leaders want to avoid a floor vote that reveals that.

Daniel Molina was the Opinion Editor of his high school’s newspaper, and he was also Editor-in-Chief of Miami Dade College’s Urbana literary and arts magazine wherein he also won the 2013 FCSAA Best Fiction Story in the State of Florida Award. He’s currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in English Literature. Hobbies in his free time include reading, writing and watching films and basketball.